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Painting basement stairs

I would apply Sherwin Williams Floor enamel on them. Two coats and when applying the second coat add some shark grit into the paint to make the stairs non slip. We have used this coating on a lot of basement stairs and other walking surfaces with good results. There really isn't much prep, besides making sure the surface is clean and dry.

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Painting basement stairs

Read the label on the can. Some floor enamels recommend thinning the first coat over bare wood with the second coat full strength. I disagree with hpny on the grit additive. I don't care for the sand finish look. Most people I've done floors for don't care to address the slip issue. If you do, you can buy adhesive backed treads to provide footing. Or, cut out a rectangle from a heavy poster board. After the second coat, take some paint and add the grit. Now take a mini roller and roll inside the rectangle template. This will give you the tread grip in the color without the grit being all over the step, which looks cleaner.

Painting basement stairs

It really depends on the wood and the sheen you are using for the paint. Really smooth wood and then a semi-gloss enamel finish can really make the steps slick in some cases. Thining the first coat can really help it penetrate the wood better and reduce the chances of peeling. We sometimes call it a spit coat.

Painting basement stairs

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsheridan

Read the label on the can. Some floor enamels recommend thinning the first coat over bare wood with the second coat full strength. I disagree with hpny on the grit additive. I don't care for the sand finish look. Most people I've done floors for don't care to address the slip issue. If you do, you can buy adhesive backed treads to provide footing. Or, cut out a rectangle from a heavy poster board. After the second coat, take some paint and add the grit. Now take a mini roller and roll inside the rectangle template. This will give you the tread grip in the color without the grit being all over the step, which looks cleaner.

Shark grit is not sand, it does not leave a textured look, you can't even really see it when its applied and it does get mixed with your second coat and applied to the areas that you want to make slip resistant. Floor enamel can become slippery, so especially on stairs I would use a slip resistant additive.

Painting basement stairs

Quote:

Originally Posted by housepaintingny

Shark grit is not sand, it does not leave a textured look, you can't even really see it when its applied and it does get mixed with your second coat and applied to the areas that you want to make slip resistant. Floor enamel can become slippery, so especially on stairs I would use a slip resistant additive.

Painting basement stairs

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsheridan

I stand corrected. I've never heard of shark grit. It may not be around this area. I'll have to keep my eye out and ask around. Thanks.

Shark Grit can be found in Sherwin Williams, its actually clear and made from recycled glass, but you can walk on it with bare feet and not even notice it at the same time it will give slip resistance. I don't use it on all walking surfaces, but on stairs I would, especially with an enamel , as they tend to be slippery at times.

Painting basement stairs

I started this post regarding stairs. With your good advice it worked out well.
At Sherwin Williams I purchased the porch and floor paint (satin finish) and SHARK GRIP. On the final coat of the threads I mixed a pint of the paint to a portion of the Shark Grip.

Painting basement stairs

Quote:

Originally Posted by rredogg

I started this post regarding stairs. With your good advice it worked out well.
At Sherwin Williams I purchased the porch and floor paint (satin finish) and SHARK GRIP. On the final coat of the threads I mixed a pint of the paint to a portion of the Shark Grip.

Thanks again, rredogg

Thanks for bringing a conclusion to the thread Rredogg. Glad to hear it worked out well for you. This will be helpful to those who search this later.